Automobile theft-indicating device



- E. S. GRACE.

AUTOMOBILE THEFT INDICATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1919.

1,342,044. Patented June 1, 1920.

[720672207 M Edward 5' Grace fi yiimfiz arrzzy WWM UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE;

nnwnnn' s. canon, on NEW YORK, 11. Y.

AUTOMOBILE mnrr-mnrcarme DEVICE.

indicate that the vehicle has been stolen if it is in motion with the device attached. It is a further object to provide a device for this purpose which may be attached to a spoke of a wheel of the vehicle.

A further object is the provision of means for this purpose which shall attract the at tention of'both the eye and the ear of persons whom the stolen car may pass. Still a further object is to make such means -plainly visible and capable of attracting attention when the vehicle v is in motion.-

Withthese objects "in (mind, and such others as. are apparent from this specification, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein illustrated,-described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which v to the effect that if the-car is. in motion, it

similar :reference characters designate corresponding'parts in allviews, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in these drawings:

Figu stampedand ready for bending to shape; Fig. 2 shows the indicator in place upon a spoke of a wheel; and,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the indicator shown in Fig. 2.

In itspreferred form as shown, my indieating device consists :of a strip 1 preferably of tough sheet metal which may be stamped out and provided with holes 2 near each end, and a suflicient distance apart to permit of the indicator -1 being bent around the spoke of a w'heel'and held thereon by means of a padlock 3 passing through the holes 2.

I prefer to make the indicator of a strip of metal with its long edges l and 5 curved and concentric when the metal is flat, cthe ends 6 and 7 tapering toward the center of the circles of which thelong sides .4, 5 are arcs. Due to this shape, when the strip 1- Specification of Letters Patent.

have invented new and useful Imre 1 shows a blank for an indicator,

Patented June 1,1920.

Application filed October 20, 1919, Serial mamas.

is bent around a spoke and padlock, the shape of the indicator substantially corresponds with that of the tapered spoke; and the long edge 4 is preferably made of such length that the indicator can slide to the innermost end of the spoke, the length of the side 5 being such that the taper of the indicator when bent to shape corresponds with the tapcr of the spoke.

The material of which this indicator 1 is made should be of such toughness that it cannot be cut by the usual metal cutting shears, which might be carried by a thief; and the strip'further is preferably made to fit the spoke closely enough so that such an instrument could not be inserted between the indicator and the spoke.

Due to this construction the indicator is free to slide upon the spoke, and will therefore assume a position when the vehicle is in motion, dependent either upon the force of gravityor upon centrifugal force, or

upon the resultant of these two forces, or

will move under these influences.

In order that the indicator may freely upon the spoke the blank is prefer- .ably stamped out from the back, as shown in Fig. 1, thus turning the edges slightly, and presenting a slight bevel on the interior toward the spoke. Upon the strip 1 are suitable indications is a stolen car. The strip itself 1, andthe legend, are preferably in bright colors, for instance red, so as to be readily-visible and to attract attention.

In use, this device is placed upon a spoke 8'of a wheel ofthe vehicle, preferably the right forward wheel, which will normally be that most readily visible 'as the vehicle stands at the curb, or as it approaches, the ends 6 and 7 of the strip being brought together around the spoke, and the padlock 3 being passed through the holes 2 and speed, will be up and down along the spoke,

according to the relative effect of the forces of gravity and of centrifugal force acting upon it; and later, when the vehicle has acquired considerable speed, the indicator will slide beheld at the outer end of the spoke against the felly of the wheel by centrifugal force and in whirling around rapidly will make a noticeable streak that will attract the at- I tention of passersby. Vhen suitable publicity has been given tothe device, so that it is recognized by the average person in the street, it will give aclear indication of the fact that the vehicle has been stolen, and suitable measures can be taken to apprehend the thief. h

The owner of the vehicle, who has the key to the padlock 3', before entering the vehicle after he has left it, unlocks the padlock 3, and detaches the indicator 1, which may be carried in any suitable pocket of the vehicle. i

Having now' described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent:

1.. A device to prevent the stealing of vehicles comprising a. strip of metal formed andarranged to be slidably clamped to aspoke of a wheel, said strip bearing indications of theft, and means for locking said strip to prevent its removal.

2. A device to prevent the stealing of ve hicles comprising a strip of metal formed and arranged to slidably encompass a spoke of a wheel, said strip bearing indications gether the ends of said strip.

3. A device to prevent the stealing of vehicles comprising a strip of metal bent to encompass a spokeof a wheel, the edges of said strip being turned outwardly from of theft, and a padlock for securing tosuch spoke, said strip having holes near I each end, and a padlock adapted to pass through said holes and secure together the ends of said strip.

l. A device to prevent the stealing of v hicles comprising a strip of metal bearing indications of theft, and means to hold said strip upon a spoke slidable thereon, under the influence of gravity and, centrifugal.

force.

5. A device to prevent the stealing 0f.ve-

EDWARD s. GRACE.

"hicles comprising indicating means, and 

